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# ‘Deliberate’ fire destroys roof of Plymouth council building
- URL: https://www.plymouthplus.co.uk/deliberate-fire-destroys-roof-of-plymouth-council-building/
- Published: 2026-03-30T13:55:11.000Z
- Updated: 2026-03-31T17:02:24.000Z
- Author: Seamus McCoy
- Tags: Efford, News, #editors-picks

A fire believed to have been started deliberately tore through the roof of a disused Plymouth City Council building.

It happened just weeks after plans were submitted to [Plymouth City Council](https://www.plymouthplus.co.uk/tag/plymouth-city-council/) for the site to be turned into 21 new homes.

The blaze at Douglass House in [Efford](https://www.plymouthplus.co.uk/tag/efford/) has left the abandoned building with significant roof damage.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/74/83/7483ab0e-4e89-48b0-a2a9-d29bc2bbbe08/content/images/2026/03/NN2A6030.JPG)

****Douglass House has been left abandoned by Plymouth City Council.** (Image: Plymouth Plus)

The site was left unsecured prior to the incident, with the gates seen standing open [upon the arrival of fire crews](https://www.plymouthplus.co.uk/huge-fire-breaks-out-at-plymouth-city-council-building/).

Fire crews from [Plympton](https://www.plymouthplus.co.uk/tag/plympton/), [Camels Head](https://www.plymouthplus.co.uk/tag/weston-mill/), [Crownhill](https://www.plymouthplus.co.uk/tag/crownhill/) and [Greenbank](https://www.plymouthplus.co.uk/tag/greenbank/) were mobilised to the incident at around 10pm on Saturday, 28 March.

Six firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used three hose reel jets to extinguish the fire.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/74/83/7483ab0e-4e89-48b0-a2a9-d29bc2bbbe08/content/images/2026/03/DJI_20260329113714_0153_D-1.JPG)

****Extent of the damage from above.** (Image: Plymouth Plus)

A water bowser was also requested due to poor water pressure in the area, and was needed to supply the aerial ladder platform with water.

​All crews left the scene at 2.40am, and one crew returned on Sunday morning to check for any hotspots. 

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/74/83/7483ab0e-4e89-48b0-a2a9-d29bc2bbbe08/content/images/2026/03/NN2A5664.JPG)

****Firefighters at the scene.** (Image: Plymouth Plus)

A spokesperson for [Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service](https://www.plymouthplus.co.uk/tag/devon-and-somerset-fire-and-rescue-service/) confirmed to Plymouth Plus that the fire was "believed to have been started deliberately".

[Devon and Cornwall Police](https://www.plymouthplus.co.uk/tag/devon-and-cornwall-police/) have been contacted for comment.

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